I really like this bike, I have ridden it about 3000 miles in 3 years around town and it has held up good with all the abuse. I would recommend it to beginner/novice riders. I'm not sure if Diamondback is currently making a lower priced model but it was definately better than my friend's $300 Mongoose.

Strengths: Great price, nice look, and not to heavy. The frame, gears, and gear changers are very reliable.

Weaknesses: The hoop for the tires is weak and the breaks I have to constantly adjust. The front shocks are damaged. The spring is only secured in place by a hard plastic cap. The screw threads on the cap, that adjusts the tension of the shock, strip easily. I am 205 lbs. and I thought that the bike could support my weight but it has trouble doing that. The wheels constantly bend. I mostly use the bike on trails and roads, no extreme mountain biking

Bottom Line:

I have been mountain biking on and off since 1989 with a Trek and a Nishiki mountain bike. I decided to get a new mountain bike that would fit my budget in the spring of 2002. It was a great price, but it is a little weak for my weight and for what I use it for. I could easily do 60 miles on a weekend of just trail or street riding. Don't get me wrong, this is a GREAT bike for a beginner or a novice biker. This bike, I believe, is not exactly for someone with intermediate mountain biking experience. If you are considering this bike, please consider your weight, how often you plan on using it and what kind of riding you plan on doing with it. This bike, in my opinion, is mostly for casual recreational riding, which it is well suited for.

Submitted by
Hardcore Habon N/A
a Weekend Warrior
from River Grove, IL

Date Reviewed: January 5, 2003

Strengths: Stiff and burly frame

Weaknesses: component selection

Bottom Line:

This is a follow up to the one I posted back in April. It's been about a year that I've had my D-Back in service and it is still rolling strong. Once again, plenty of upgraded parts make the bike much better than stock. Still doing the drop-offs. Biggest was six-footer to flat without trouble anywhere. Much better handling due to the new stem and bar combo. Pretty sure the bike will hold up for another season or two. Great frame that is good to work with. Not worth racing with but good with light freeride and aggressive trail riding and urban assault.

Bike Setup: All components are excellent for the price and is disc brake ready.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
Hardcore Habon
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL - USA

Date Reviewed: April 20, 2002

Strengths: Probably the only thing that is good on this bike is the frame. It is built w/pretty large diameter 7005, heat treated aluminum. It is also gusseted at the head tube. All this makes for a solid and stiff frame.

Weaknesses: The component spec is cheesy at best.

Bottom Line:

I ride plenty of urban assault and trail riding. Do plenty of 5ft+ drops and jumps. Frame heavy and solid. I guess that's a good thing. Did plenty of part swaps, and only thing left was the OEM crank set and front derailleur. Overall, the bike handles very well once you upgrade the original parts. Get a suspension seatpost cause the stiff frame will put all the trail shock into your "arse". Good bike for what you pay, frame worth working with. Better bike once you upgrade.

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